Angelo State University facts for kids
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Former name
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San Angelo College (1928–1965) Angelo State College (1965–1969) |
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| Motto | Fiat Lux |
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Motto in English
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Let there be light |
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1928 |
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Parent institution
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Texas Tech University System |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $275 million (2024) (ASU only) $3.06 billion (2024) (system-wide) |
| Budget | $162 million (FY2025) |
| President | Lt. General Ronnie Hawkins |
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Academic staff
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412 (Fall 2023) |
| Students | 11,542 (Fall 2024) |
| Undergraduates | 9,779 (Fall 2024) |
| Postgraduates | 1,763 (Fall 2024) |
| Location |
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Texas
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United States
31°26′16″N 100°27′39″W / 31.43778°N 100.46083°W |
| Campus | Small city, 268 acres (108 ha) |
| Colors | Blue and gold |
| Nickname | Rams |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division II – Lone Star |
| Mascot | Dominic the Ram(live) Roscoe and Bella(costumed) |
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Angelo State University (ASU) is a public university located in San Angelo, Texas, United States. It first opened its doors in 1928 as San Angelo College. Over the years, it grew and began offering four-year degrees in 1967 and master's degrees in 1969. That same year, it officially became Angelo State University. Today, ASU offers many different study programs, including 50 for undergraduate students and 31 for graduate students. It is the second-largest campus within the Texas Tech University System.
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History of Angelo State University
The story of Angelo State University began in 1928 when it was known as San Angelo College. This two-year college was first part of the city's school system and was located on North Oakes Street. In 1945, voters in Tom Green County created a special district for the college and elected its first leaders. The first building on the current university site was built in 1947.
Becoming a University
Angelo State grew quickly from a local junior college to a full university. In 1965, thanks to a law passed in 1963, San Angelo College became Angelo State College. This change meant it could offer more advanced degrees. In May 1967, the first students earned their four-year bachelor's degrees. Just two years later, in May 1969, the school's name changed again to Angelo State University.
The university started its graduate program in 1970. In 2007, Angelo State University joined the Texas Tech University System. This move was supported by many people in San Angelo and Lubbock. The change was approved by the governor and voters, making ASU part of the Texas Tech System. In 2009, ASU began offering its first doctoral degree, which is the highest level of university education.
Growing and Improving
In 2013, Angelo State finished a big fundraising effort, collecting $35 million. This money helped build new facilities, create scholarships for students, and support academic programs. This showed how much the community and alumni supported the university's growth.
Academics at ASU
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Students at Angelo State come from all over Texas, as well as 46 other states and 22 different countries. The university is officially approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which means it meets high standards for education.
ASU offers many different study options. Students can choose from 35 minor programs, 50 bachelor's degrees, 31 master's degrees, and one doctoral degree program. The university's graduate school started in 1970. In 2009, ASU was allowed to offer doctoral degrees, beginning with a doctorate in physical therapy.
Colleges and Programs
Angelo State University is divided into six main colleges, each focusing on different subjects:
- Norris-Vincent College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Arts and Humanities
- Archer College of Health and Human Services
- College of Science and Engineering
- College of Graduate Studies and Research
University Recognition
Angelo State University has received several honors. U.S. News & World Report ranked its online graduate education program highly in the nation. Its Graduate Degree in Nursing also received a high national ranking in 2016.
US Veterans magazine recognized Angelo State as a top school for veterans in 2015. Also, The Chronicle of Higher Education named ASU one of the nation's "Great Colleges to Work For" for four years in a row, including 2018. This shows that ASU is a good place for both students and staff.
ASU Campus Life
The main campus of Angelo State University covers 268 acres. It has a long, tree-lined walkway called the campus mall that connects most of the main buildings. The campus has grown a lot since 1965 and now has over 60 buildings.
Key Campus Buildings
Important academic buildings include the Porter Henderson Library, which opened in 1967, and the Raymond M. Cavness Science Building, opened in 1968. The Houston Harte University Center was updated in 1971 and is a central spot for students. The Mayer Museum, which opened in 2021, has collections of natural science, art, and history.
The Robert and Nona Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, completed in 1976, has modern facilities for art, music, and communications. It includes a theater and recital hall. The Emil C. Rassman Building, finished in 1983, houses business and aerospace studies departments.
The Lloyd D. and Johnell S. Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building, completed in 1985, includes departments for physics, geosciences, engineering, and criminal justice. This building also has one of the largest planetariums among colleges and universities, with a 50-foot dome for shows and classes. The Mathematics-Computer Science Building, finished in 1996, houses math and computer science departments.
ASU also has the Angelo State University Management Instruction and Research Center, a large 6,000-acre ranch. This ranch is used for programs in animal science and biology, offering hands-on learning and research opportunities.
Campus Safety
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Angelo State takes student safety seriously. There are 16 emergency call boxes around campus that connect directly to the Angelo State Police Department. Students can also use a "Lifeline App" on their phones for distress calls. The app can even send police to a student's exact location using GPS. The Angelo State University Police Department has 14 full-time police officers who patrol the campus 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The university also has an alert system that sends messages to campus emails and cell phones during emergencies.
Student Life and Activities
ASU offers many ways for students to get involved. There are several fraternities and sororities, honor societies, religious groups, and sports teams.
The Houston Harte University Center is a popular spot for students. It has games like pool and ping pong, comfortable areas for hanging out, and many dining options, including Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. It also has the Campus Bookstore and a Post Office.
The ASU Lake House
Students can also enjoy the Angelo State Lake House, located off-campus at nearby Lake Nasworthy. This spot offers lake and beach access, a basketball court, a playground, and sand volleyball courts. Students can use canoes and kayaks for free. The Lake House also has rooms for meetings and events, plus cooking facilities for students and groups.
Student Housing
Angelo State provides on-campus housing for over 2,500 students, meaning more than a quarter of students live on campus. The university's housing has been recognized as some of the "Most Inviting Yet Affordable College Dorms in America." The seven residence halls offer different living styles, from traditional dorm rooms to suites with private bedrooms and shared living areas.
Student Media
Students at ASU can get involved in various media outlets. Ram TV broadcasts locally in San Angelo, showing original programs. The Ram Page is the university's official weekly student newspaper. There's also Ram Radio, an online station that broadcasts all day. Students can also get ASU news on their phones using the ASU Mobile app.
Intramural and Club Sports
ASU has great facilities for intramural sports, which are sports played just for fun among students. The intramural complex has a huge artificial turf area for flag football, softball, soccer, and rugby. Basketball games are played in the Center for Human Performance gym, which also has racquetball courts. Angelo State's competitive flag football teams have even won national championships multiple times.
ASU Athletics
Angelo State's sports teams are called the Rams. The university is part of the NCAA Division II, which is a level of college sports. They mainly compete in the Lone Star Conference. Before becoming a four-year university, the Rams competed in junior college sports.
Angelo State has 13 different sports teams. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, and track & field. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Many fans come to support ASU athletic games, with attendance often ranking among the top schools in Division II.
ASU Traditions
Ram Jam
Ram Jam is a big pre-game party before football games, started by the Alumni Association in 2003. Students, alumni, and community members gather outside the LeGrand Alumni Center to grill food and socialize. These events often feature local bands, free food, and games for kids. The Ram Band, the ASU dance team (Angelettes), and the ASU Cheerleaders also perform before everyone walks to the stadium for the game.
Ring Ceremony
Before each graduation, the ASU Alumni Association holds a special ring ceremony. During this event, the university president gives class rings to students. Angelo State's mascot, Dominic, is always there. After receiving their rings, students touch their rings to Dominic's horns for strength or rub them through his wool for luck. The official ASU ring, introduced in 2003, features the ASU seal, the State of Texas with San Angelo marked, an oak branch, and an image of Dominic.
ASU Mascots
Angelo State's live ram mascot has been named "Dominic" since 1963, chosen by student vote. Dominic is a regular at many ASU events, from the ring ceremony to athletic games. He is often seen near the end zone at football games.
ASU also has two costumed mascots, Roscoe and Bella. They appear at most athletic events and community activities, leading cheers and interacting with fans. Roscoe has been around since the 1960s, and Bella made her debut in 2010. They both help bring spirit to the campus.
Notable People from ASU
Many people who attended Angelo State University have gone on to achieve great things in various fields. These include important leaders at large companies, actors nominated for awards, musicians who have won Grammys, Super Bowl champions, and authors of best-selling books. ASU alumni have also become judges, state representatives, and even members of the United States Congress.
